Thursday, 8 December 2016

Existing Product Research

DONNIE DARKO



The genre of this film is Sci-Fi thriller but a gender spilt would be of both males and females the target audience would likely be 15-25 year old. This film's target audience is set for teenagers and young adults because it is seen as an unorthodox horror and only specific people may understand the concept of the movie as it talks about the ill-living of a teenage boy suffering from depression ,a mental illness, and is shown to be the downfall of the protagonist. 
For the mise-en-scene,  the lighting in the room is very dark and dim, to create this, there is low key lighting and back lighting to create shadows within the narrative and scene, the atmosphere has a dark scene to it as it can represent the characters thoughts and feelings to what they are trying to put across. This is quite unorthodox film mainly because of the concept and the structure of it. There are a number of  camera shots in the film which always have the main protagonist in them.The camerawork that has been used is mainly close up shots, so audience can see the facial expression and the emotion the character is trying to put across. There is also a slow motion effect added through the editing, so the audience can see that this may be an important scene or something is memorable, this is similar to the slow zoomThe scene has continuity editing, so the audience can see where the narrative goes but also understand it too, which is key when watching a movie. They also have medium close up shots that can show the relationship of what the two characters have, this can be important because through the camera work, the audience can notice the intimate relationship they have with one and other. The different transitions that are used are cuts and this also has a lack of editing in certain parts of the film to focus on the main protagonist (Donnie Darko). There is a use of the 180 degree rule between the parents and the head teacher as they are talking. Even when the teacher is talking to the parents Donnie is still in the background to highlight his presence in the scene, which makes the audience aware of him being the main protagonistThere is a sound bridge at the very start of the clip, which alerts the audiences to see what is happening to the character and how it links to the moving footage we are seeing before the scene the dialogue is being said. When the music comes in, the parallel sound compliments the scene in which the audience are watching as it is non dietetic


GIRLHOOD



The target audience is 16+ - rated r for language for some drug use and coarse language. 
Sex & Nudity quite vague in the use of nudity but sexual language and behaviour used
Violence & Gore where there is fighting and physical bad behaviour. Profanity use of bad language with words like f, b and d words are frequently are used. Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking is explicitly used in scenes when the characters go to parties or amongst themselves in the movie. For mise-en-scene, the personalities of the characters came through from the start of the clip because it was something obvious, the personalities were reflected in the location/settings they were set in. Through the costume of the characters it showed that they may have seemed they came from a urban or ghetto surroundings and the movie was around that genre too, this came across quickly too because this way it makes it for the audience to understand the narrative much quicker and create an identification with them too. The lighting that is set in this is high key lighting with key light and filter light because as the location is set in the tube, this makes it easier to do the lighting because it needs it to have mainly natural light to make it as naturalist as possible, to audience to create an identification with the situation, the mood but also with the characters. They weren’t much make up on the characters as well as they narrative and the scene came across as natural as possible. 
The camerawork seemed to bring the life out the scene about make it seem as if though the audience was in the surrounding with them too, the reason was because the camera was in eye level as somebody so we felt as if we were in the scene. Another camera movement was used was panning, the panning was tight, this made the scene even more realistic because in a tube as it is packed and a lot of rushed, it made the scene realistic, the panning helped the audience know the surrounding and see who was in the scene, this creates identification with the characters as the teenagers who could be watching this film may create a personal identity with the surroundings and the atmosphere that is set.
The sound of the music is diegetic and parallel to the scene, even though it can seem as if the music is non-diegetic as the sound is so clear, through the use of prop makes it realistic.
The editing is continuity editing so audience can understand the narrative and what is happening in the scene. Straight cuts are mainly used when it comes down to the style of editing


IT FOLLOWS


The target audience for this film would be young adults, aged 15 and over, due to most of the characters in this film being in high school/collage. I would say that the demographic in terms of gender is fairly balanced,but will be targeting females as there is a ration of 3:2 of female to male main characters. The BBFC classification would be a 15 this is because of the frequent nudity with female magazines, some sexualised and others in non-sexual manner. The use of swear words (f**k) and there is violence in the strong form of  violence as people are medium shot in the head. There is an extreme use of gore as there are very explicit scenes of snapped legs with explicit blood and gore in the scene. 
The mise-en-scene in this clip helps the audience understand the female protagonist as her facial expression at the beginning of the scene was quite relaxed and then changed quite dramatically when she saw the women outside her window walking towards her. The female protagonist is ,almost always, the main person in frame. This is prevalent when she is walking towards the door, the elderly lady is walking behind her, out of focus so that the audiences attention is drawn to her and her facial expressions. 
The clip begins with an establishing shot of the classroom. It then pans, across one side of the classroom to the other. At the end of the pan, the female protagonist is shown sitting at her desk listening to the teacher, the beginning shot was a point of view shot as that is where she is looking into. However, you wouldn't know this until the camera reaches her at the end of the pan. There is then long shot of outside the window and then a medium shot of her again at her desk, this happens several times. However, each time it cuts to the long shot of outside, the camera zooms into the building up suspense. Then there is a straight cut to a guy looking at the female protagonist, who is looking out of the window. There is then another pan, which follows the female protagonist as she gets up to leave the classroom. A tracking shot is then used to pick up the pace of the scene. There is then a straight cut to the protagonist walking towards the camera. 
The use of sound makes it feel like it is getting faster. When the girl is looking out of the window, there is a eyeline match, the use of repeated juxtaposition ,is a form of identification, as the audience will feel they are almost experiencing what she is in the film. During the end of this clip, when the female protagonist runs out of the classroom and then says 'hello', the use of straight cuts makes it feel more intense, as the camera keeps going back and forth from the young girl to the elderly women, this keeps to the 180 degree rule as it keeps to the same line when on either side of the two characters.
 

EXTERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND


This movie would appeal to young adults ranging from the ages of 16 to about 25 years old as the narrative is about love which is usually admired by the younger demographic. The genre of this movie is perhaps a romance film since the two characters seem to be in love, which becomes evident when they kiss. In the BBFC classification it is a 15 and will be rated R due to language, some drugs and some sexual content. There is an extreme use of profanity (f**k,s**t etc.) with little fighting and threatening scenes and slight use of sexual scenes which are not of an explicit nature.  The sound in the clip includes diegetic dialogue as well as a sound bridge which sounds like a voiceover, of the man talking, As this sound bridge begins, the audience hears soft music playing lightly in the background which adds to the emotion of what he is saying and also you can hear the water flowing, which is a diegetic sound. However, it is unclear whether the water is actually there or not. It also seems that the woman's voice then becomes faint which is most likely a non-diegetic voice over, then becoming diegetic as the lady enters back into the clip. Low-key lighting is used throughout with what appears to be a torch or flashlight, due to the dimly lit surroundings that the characters are in. This creates shadows which show realism within the scene. The characters are so engrossed in what they are saying, that they are oblivious to what is going on. However, since the audience are aware of what's happening, this gives a sense of voyeurism from the audience's perspective as they are watching in on the entire scene.
The make up for the two character are natural too, this supports the idea of the whole setting and atmosphere being naturalistic, the make up isn’t to much so it doesn’t over power the character. The props that are being used is books as they are in a setting where they are books surrounding the two characters. 
The editing is mainly continuity editing and straight cuts are being involved during the scene. A handheld camera seems to have been used during the filming of the movie which gives the narrative a documentary type feel which could make the movie feel more real, in contrast to the actual happenings of the movie itself. This clip starts off with over the shoulder shot which then tilts downwards. It then progresses into a series of medium shots which includes a shot-reverse-shot during the two characters' conversation. There then becomes an establishing shot which is interesting as usually the establishing shot would occur before the action of the clip. However, this clip took a different approach to introducing this scene. After this, shots vary between medium shots, medium close-ups and then a close-up on the male's feet as he is walking.


THE FALLING



The target audience ,due to the BBFC classification, would be 15 and older due to the sexual scene portrayed at the beginning of the clip. Due to the representation of most of the characters being female, I would argue that this film would appeal more to females rather than males, we can especially gather this through the mise-en-scene; the school setting and uniform. This would appeal to a younger audience rather than elder. The genre of mystery is definitely portrayed through this clip as there is a very tense and intriguing atmosphere created within the clip, especially through the use of soundTension and suspense are created through the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound; the voice over at the beginning of the clip sets the scene and establishes the protagonist, causing the audience to identify with her. The use of the non-diegetic voice over and the diegetic sound of the hairspray being sprayed and the bell ringing, highlights just how the protagonist is living in the moment and how the voice over is what she is thinking right now. Her thoughts in her mind are being reflected and shown visually simultaneously. The use of the voice over portrays the protagonist as quite a reflective character and we can infer from the sound that she is within her thoughts and immersed within.
The camerawork is very interesting. It starts of with an extreme close-up of a bruised arm, at this point we don't know who's arm this may be, which acts as a enigma code. There is a medium shot of the back of a woman's head. There is then a pan from the girl, across to a women looking in the mirror. Throughout this scene we are not shown clearly what she looks like, which could signify that she is not a significant character in the film. 
The editing then becomes very slow paced after that increasingly fast paced montage, the whole atmosphere created after is quite slow yet very effective as we are intrigued by what has just happened; the sound then becomes diegetic and the chatters of the children talking and playing creates the setting as quite a standardised school setting. This makes the whole scene feel more natural, therefore the audience are able to identify with the norm and conform with the conventions
The montage of events and the editing being very fast paced and dramatic builds up tension and suspense. The blink transition at the end of the montage may show the lead up to reality and the present moment. The mystical sort of non-diegetic sound being played over the montage adds a chilling feel as there's a humming futuristic sound, which adds tension. Furthermore the use of the sound bridge from the bell and then we see the bell ringing, immediately stops that montage, which is really effective. It suggests that the protagonist may be awoken from the moment and suddenly halted from her thoughts. This may therefore foreshadow an upcoming event in the movie. 

Monday, 5 December 2016

United 93 Review

United 93 is a movie depicting what happened on board the hijacked plane that ultimately crashed in a field. The roles are played by unknown actors but Paul Greengrass does cast real people as themselves, specifically the staff at the various air-traffic centres, each character is ringed with authenticity through their regional accents, the easy use with the terminology. The beginning of the movie of the  showing passengers boarding Flight 93 and beginning their seemingly uneventful flight juxtaposes the inter cut depictions of concurrent frightful happenings of several scenes prior. We don't get to see the hijackers actually do anything until an hour in. In the meantime, we see the first two planes disappear off the radar at air traffic control and plough into the world trade centre..at which point Greengrass uses shocked silence from the onlookers as they stare at live footage feed from the news and control station, rather than a enormous score to underline the obvious. There is a lack of dialogue in United 93, it avoids any commentary,but adds to the tension and gut-wrenching scene.
United 93 feels documentary-like, quite dispassionate and with a lot of handheld camera, particularly when events turn frenetic. There is no manipulative music, no condemnation of the hijackers of United Airlines flight 93, and no back-pedal of pace and energy once the action gets underway. While it's important to believe that something noble occurred on that plane, United 93 doesn't offer a simplistic, comforting lore about what may have happened and why. This is evident as no obvious leader rises up nor is there any definitive action moment. Greengrass presents the final moments of United 93 as plausibly, as possible- a group of frightened, agonised and confused people struggling, at bare minimum, to save their lives. 

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

Preliminary Task Evaluation



Brief:  This exercise involves filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule. 

Planning process and pre-production: We first completed a storyboard,  is a shot by shot of a graphic representation of how our video would unfold, to have a foundation for the task. Then a full log of all the shots we would use ,called a shot list, was created from the storyboard for our clip to show which direction our video would be going. The script was made for the dialogue that would be spoken in the video. The script consisted of movement, facial expressions and action for which would be acted for the video. We are able to exhibit our understanding of script writing for this task and able to enable our ability to showcase our abilities in these areas of the task. 
Strengths: We wanted the short clip to be humours and for a factor of parody to be used in the clip. Our use of the 180 degree rule and using this skill to show our understanding of the rule, also, our match on action and shot reverse shot was very well done. Our use of mise-en-scene was equal to what was shown on the screen. We were able , I think, to immerse the audience with these abilities infused into the short clip and the enigma codes really built the tension we were aiming for. 

Weakness: The bad sound quality due to a lot of background sounds, specifically in the beginning for the exterior scene. We may have also failed to use media editing skills such as adding diegetic sounds which may have added to the tension building in the clip. Another weakness for our clip was the lack of steady tension built as I think we threw the audience into a face-paced, no detail into how characters got in and out of scenes and aspects of not needed low-key lighting(which wasn't favourable to us) may of faulted our video also. The editing of the scenes were quite lagged and also not quick to transition into other scenes of the clip too. 

Conclusion: There is a sense of wittiness to our clip but because of lack of august cinematography led to the clip being bog-standard. Learning through our mistakes will lead us to make a more successful and packed with a use of robust cinematography to really gear in audiences and making ourselves more distinct form others.

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Preliminary Tasks

Short List- Infatuation




https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BxWVJvePKrETc1VwbUJXOWVZblE

SCRIPT: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BxWVJvePKrETc1VwbUJXOWVZblE

1.EXTERIOR SHOT
Very dark setting in the middle of the road. 

MORGUE
‘APRIL!’
APRIL
[walking with Stephanie laughing and unintentionally ignoring Morgue]
MORGUE
[gives the impression of jealousy]
‘Stephanie’

[MORGUE: VOICE OVER]
It was an obsession I hated anyone who got in my way. We had always been best friends.] (SOUND BRIDGE OVER TO ACT 2)


2.INTERIOR SHOT 
sitting in the living room at the dining table. April and Morgue engaging in discussing due dates for homework.

APRIL
I’m just going to use the toilet [gets up from the table]
MORGUE
shit. [comedically collapses and runs after April]



7.INTERIOR SHOT 
[April
sees the out of order sign on the toilet door and heads upstairs to find the toilet there]

APRIL
[jiggles the doorknob and enters the wrong room. She looks concerned and fearful]
MORGUE
[Barges into the room ungracefully] ‘you weren't supposed to see this’
APRIL
Why is this room identical to mine…?
MORGUE
YOU WERENT SUPPOSED TO KNOW

MORGUE
[awkward, comedic facial expression]
‘IT’s always been you April, always.’
APRIL
‘I have to go..’
MORGUE
‘I want you, nobody else can have you’
KILLS APRIL WITH SEASHELL, DEATH BY SEASHELL.

A JUMPCUT: APRIL ON THE FLOOR

MORGUE
smiles and takes sip from her tea ‘ah finally a real mannequin to fit the room’ [picks up the mannequin and throws it in the bin, close up of mannequin in the bin]



STORYBOARD:





SHOT LIST: 


Shot no
Shot list
check
1
Close up on morgue’s face “Stephanie”

2
Medium close up on morgue face 

3
Long shot/establishing shot of April and Stephanie

4
Medium long shot of April and Stephanie with morgue in the back

5
Medium shot of April and Stephanie with morgue in the back

6
Over the shoulder shot of morgue calling April. (180)

7
Over the shoulder Medium shot of morgue sitting at table (180)

8
over the shoulder medium shot of April sitting at table (180)

9
Medium close up on Aprils face

10
Medium close up on morgues face

11
Long shot of April getting up and leaving for the toilet

12
Medium long shot of April looking at out of order door sign

13
Medium shot of April looking at out of order door sign

14
Close up on door sign “out of order”

15
Medium shot of April going up stairs

16
Long shot of April going up stairs.

17
Medium close up on April at the top of stairs

18
Close up on April opening door handle

19
Extreme close up on door handle jiggle from inside.

20
Medium close up on the door opening.

21
Long shot of April entering wrong room

22
Medium shot of April entering wrong room

23
Long shot of April looking around room

24
Medium long shot of April looking around room

25
Long shot of morgue sitting at table working

26
Long shot of morgue realising what’s upstairs and stumbling out of chair.

27
Long shot of morgue stumbling on stairs

28
Medium shot of morgue stumbling on stairs

29
Medium close up on April distressed

30
Medium shot of April distressed

31
Long shot of Morgue stumbling in room out of breathe

32
Medium shot of April standing up in horror

33
Long shot of April standing up in horror

34
Close up of April shocked

35
Long shot of April backing away

36
Long shot of Morgue trying to explain herself

37
Medium shot of Morgue getting closer

38
Medium shot of April going over bed to protect herself

39
Medium shot of April arguing with Morgue (180)

40
Medium shot of morgue arguing with April (180)

41
Medium shot of April opening the wardrobe

42
Close up on dead body – Stephanie

43
Medium shot of dead body – Stephanie

44
Medium close up on dead body - Stephanie

45
Medium close up on April being dragged back

46
Medium shot of April being dragged back by Morgue

47
Medium shot of April being stabbed with giant pencil

48
Medium shot of April being hit with other objects by Morgue

49
Close up on April’s legs

50
Medium shot pan on the mannequin and desk

51
Close up shot pan on the mannequin and desk

52
Medium shot of Morgue touching mannequin

53
Long shot of Morgue touching mannequin

54
Medium close up pan down of Morgue dropping cloth on April’s face

55
Long shot pan down of Morgue dropping cloth on April’s face